What's the latest on batteries?

[Houston]

Winter is coming up, with those of us in the north being concerned about whether or not these teensy stock batteries will get us through another winter. I've never seen batteries in cars with less amps than these, so am I correct in thinking our batteries are the smallest ones in GM cars? I keep hoping that Pontiac will come out with a bulletin offering larger batteries, but haven't yet seen anything. Anybody else know anything? Anybody else worried about this?

[NSimkins]

Houston:Check out this thread I posted just a short time ago (3rd item on the list):http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6124As far as an update on the issue, I will get another battery update either by the end of this week or the beginning of next, I promise!

[ArcsVibe]

The bigger the better right?

[Kari]

Well, my baby has been through a winter, and a very cold one at that. But her battery was fine, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Houston]

Yeah, I read that post from way back when. Winter is closer now, so I'm more concerned. Kari posted below that she got through last winter with no problems. I did, too. I gotta say, though, that there were several times that I was quite worried. In past years, when batteries turned over the engine as slow as this one does, I immediately went somewhere, usually Sears, and replaced the darn thing - 'cause it was near death and I knew damn well the bunny wasn't in there. Somehow I've lucked out, like many of you, but I hate going out during the coldest times of winter always being worried about the dam thing. Know what I mean?

[Hot Vibe]

I would not worry about the battery. GM has a team already working on it. GM's biggest concerns are about preventing the customer from being stranded. Believe me when I say this is a very high priority and if there is a problem it will be resolved. The wife has an 04. I am not sure if there is a difference from 03 to 04 for the batteries. I will find out more after this weekend. With the size of the engine/starter/flywheel it does not need alot to start. If cold weather is an issue then it would not be that the battery does not have enough amps, it is because the battery is faulty. If you are concerned with the battery leave the car on with the radio/lights and other accessories on. Let the alternator charge the battery and take it somewhere to be tested. If the battery is fully charged then you are good. If it is not fully charged then you will at least know the lifespan of the battery. If you have it tested at a dealer they MAY replace it. Each dealer is different.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I've got some battery trouble last winter and when I reported it to my dealer, the only thing he told was: Your battery is ok, it respect stardards... I know that, but if you have a Firefly with the 3 cylinders engine, you won't be able to pull a 3000lbs load with it, even if the engine is in perfect condition. Same thing for the battery. A 310 CCA is not enough to fire up the engine at -25F.

[coratz]

i posted at the begining of september..... the stock toyota battery self destructed and leaked acid all over the engine/hood, hoses everything. The stock battery (toyota) that came with the vibe was junk) get the delco one put in. The vibe cranks way faster now.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:i posted at the begining of september..... the stock toyota battery self destructed and leaked acid all over the engine/hood, hoses everything. The stock battery (toyota) that came with the vibe was junk) get the delco one put in. The vibe cranks way faster now.So would you suggest us to destroy our betteries to have it remplaced?? I'm thinking about it......

[Houston]

Nice to see that your Vibe "cranks way faster now" with that Delco battery. My gosh, but it must have been really slow with that Toyota battery. My Vibe came with a Delco battery and I gotta say that in all of my 60+ years I've never bought a new car that cranked this slow. Virtually everytime when starting my Vibe during the winter, I'm sitting there with fingers crossed. This tiny battery, even though it somehow (Maybe God really is on my side?) got me through last winter, leaves me pissed at the company that employed me all my life - that it had the gall to put a lawn mower battery in this wonderful, little car.I'm hoping they come out with a TSB that gives all of us a better battery for free.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote: My Vibe came with a Delco battery and I gotta say that in all of my 60+ years I've never bought a new car that cranked this slow. How did you get a Delco battery?? Did you bought your Vibe used?

[drunkenmaxx]

quote:Well, my baby has been through a winter, and a very cold one at that. But her battery was fine, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. yes, but remember, the coldest kentucky winter is probably not even average for Michigan or especially canada

[Kari]

Wasn't the body mostly GM's design as well?

[drunkenmaxx]

not to be a ding-a-ling, but i think the dash design was mostly gm as well

[etoop]

Would the TSB include the 2004 models?

[AKLGT]

winter is fast approaching here and i am very worried! i have a block heater for mine, but i don't believe that will do anything for the battery? does anyone know?

[VibeSalsa]

If you always plug the block heater, the engine will be easier to start and the battery will like it much. Last winter, although it was very cold (-30°C), my Vibe has no problem to get started in the morning when it was warmed by the block heater.But the problem is when you can't plug the block heater: at work, at the shopping center, in a trip, at the ski resort... If the Vibe is all day in a parking, in a windy day with a temperature of -25°C, you'll see what the poor battery will give you... One day, I think I'll have to call the towing... Sorry to hear but the reality...

[coratz]

anyone seen that dcp???solar charger in the canadian tire flyer, that looks pretty cool for 80 bucks. i wonder what benfits that would have on your battery. for to tech junkies out there, why have they not miniturized the 12 volt auto battery? make it pocket sized so you could keep it warm and fully charged?

[Herb]

quote:anyone seen that dcp???solar charger in the canadian tire flyer, that looks pretty cool for 80 bucks. i wonder what benfits that would have on your battery. for to tech junkies out there, why have they not miniturized the 12 volt auto battery? make it pocket sized so you could keep it warm and fully charged?I used to have one of those solar panel charger things, and I never noticed any difference on whether or not I used it. This was back when I lived in Edmonton, where -25C to -35C temps are not at all uncommon.For just a little more you can get a booster pack. It's a portable battery with built in jumper cables. I've found it to be pretty damn handy over the years.

[pmh013]

I thought I'd bump this thread up. With today's snowfall and below freezing temperatures, I have now experienced my second instance of the Vibe cranking over slowly and needing a lot more cranks to fire. The first instance was about 2 weeks ago ... the first time it went below freezing this season.Just wondering what the situation is with the battery TSB. Will it ever exist? My regular warranty is long gone, and judging by my experience with the molding TSB, I don't think GM is going to comp me a new (properly sized) battery.I am going to phone the dealership tomorrow, just to "log" my complaint. We'll see where it gets me.Update: I've got my name in the system, but the service advisor I spoke with was very dubious that GM would replace my battery given the number of km's on my car, if and when the TSB comes out. Again, the dealership is amazed that I know a TSB is coming down the pipes ... I said I would probably know that is has actually been released before they do. Sad. Perhaps it should be "mandatory" to have the dealership folks cruising the boards too?

[DavidPIL]

I have a question about a replacement battery.... I'm not too concerned with the CCA rating yet but I was nosey while at Wal-Mart and went through their battery selector thingie... It said there were "no replacements" for the Vibe BUT when I selected the middle button, it came up with the 35-3N (or might have been 3N-35)... anywho... this battery has, I believe a bit over 600 CCA (My memory is bad but I think it was 630). Do you think it fits? Anyone have any idea? I guess I should take measurements, aye?Dave

[ragingfish]

Group Size is a way of determining if the battery will physically and dimensionally fit. You want a Group Size 35 battery preferably, but if necessary, the Vibe can also fit a 26R battery.

[ragingfish]

Anything that is a group size 35 will physically measure the same -- or within close tolerances.

[DavidPIL]

Hiya...I was just being nosey and I know there has been issues about the battery rating. The EverStart from Wally World was only around $35 or so. It's a 3 year battery. I know it's not a free replacement but... I doubt GM will replace the OEM battery for free anyway. Sears doesn't show the CCA rating on the site, or at least I don't see it. Thought maybe someone wanting a more powerful battery might be interested...Davep.s. Don't you people ever sleep?

[DavidPIL]

I got my last battery for my Ranger at Auto-Zone. They actually tried to sell me a higher CCA battery but it was noticably larger and definitely wouldn't have fit the battery tray or under the plastic heat shield without some modification. I guess that's why I asked about if one of these after-market batteries would work. THere is that metal brace to hold the battery in place, what are the chances od an after-market fitting correctly under that? Ok, it's more of a rhetorical question because unless you've purchased a new battery already, you won't know for sure. I don't think I would buy a Wal-Mart brand auto part. I would get my oil, maybe filter... and cleaning products but battery? eh... It did have a 3 year warranty though which was what Sears was offering on a comparably priced battery. It just seems there are options out there and an awful lot of complaints about the current OEM battery that if someone really wanted to get a better battery, they could with minimal cost. I mean, people are changing the intake and muffler and suspension for more performance, why not $40-$70 for more starting security, right?Dave